National Anthropological Archives

MS 2369 Clarence Bicknell and Edward E. Berry rubbings, squeezes and photographs of petroglyphs near Vallée des Merveilles, France

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.MS2369
Creators:
Bicknell, Clarence, 1842-1918
Berry, Edward E. (Edward Elhanan), 1861-1931
Dates:
1901-1902
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
40 Sheets
rubbings and squeezes
17 Photographic prints
1 Negatives (photographic)
4 Letters
Repository:
Container:
2369
2369

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection consists of material related to the petroglyphs near Vallée des Merveilles, including 40 rubbings and squeezes, 17 photographic prints, 1 negative, and 4 letters related to the creation and transmittal of the collection. The rubbings and squeezes were made in the summer of 1901.
Please note that the contents of the collection and the language and terminology used reflect the context and culture of the time of its creation. As an historical document, its contents may be at odds with contemporary views and terminology and considered offensive today. The information within this collection does not reflect the views of the Smithsonian Institution or National Anthropological Archives, but is available in its original form to facilitate research.

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
Clarence Bicknell (1842-1918) was a British vicar, amateur archaeologist, botanist, artist, Esperantist, author, and philanthropist. Bicknell was born in London, and, after studying at Cambridge University, became an Anglican priest. In 1879, he cut ties with the church and relocated to Bordighera, Italy. Bicknell first visited the Vallée des Merveilles (at that time part of Italy and known to him as Valle or Laghi delle Meraviglie) in 1881 in search of rare plants. Annexed by France in 1947, the "Valley of Marvels" is the site of 40,000 petroglyphs, dating from the Neolithic era, the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the Roman and medieval periods. Starting in 1885, Bicknell documented the petroglyphs in notes, drawings, rubbings, squeezes, and photographs, eventually creating 12,000 images of the carvings. In 1886 he founded the Bicknell Museum in Bordighera to house his botanical and archaeological collections, as well as his extensive library.
Biographical Note
Edward Elhanan Berry (1861-1931) was the nephew of Clarence Bicknell. In 1891, he moved to Bordighera near his uncle. In Italy, he founded a bank, become an agent for the travel agency Thomas Cook, and created a service agency for British residents. In 1897, he became vice-British Consul in Bordighera. Berry collaborated and helped Bicknell in all his projects, including the creation of Bicknell Museum and his botanical and archaeological research.

Administration

Custodial History
The collection was sent to the Smithsonian Institution by Bicknell and Berry in December 1901. It was transmitted to the Bureau of American Ethnology from the U. S. National Museum on January 29, 1902.

Digital Content


Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Preferred Citation
MS 2369 Clarence Bicknell and Edward E. Berry rubbings, squeezes and photographs of petroglyphs near Vallée des Merveilles, France, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

More Information

Local Numbers

Local Numbers
NAA MS 2369

Variant Title

Variant Title
Laghi delle Meraviglie, Italy, photographs, rubbings and squeezes of petroglyphs
Laghi delle Meraviglie, Italy, photographs, rubbings and squeezes


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rubbings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
squeezes Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Europe Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
France Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Italy Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archaeology Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Petroglyphs Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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